Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, City Councilors Rick Dalla Valle, Paul F. Samele, Jr., Elinor Carbone, Thomas Jerram, Drake Waldron and Marie Soliani, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, City Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, and Comptroller Alice Proulx.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ENGINEERING #33 Mayor Bingham said that although there's a zero percent increase, there is still an increase in hours to have the Engineering front desk covered, as well as a possible reorganization making an employee a Construction Project Coordinator overseeing summer road projects and increased inspections to supplement summer work previously done by employees whose positions have since been eliminated. On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Waldron, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Engineering budget.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE #110 Mayor Bingham informed the council of recommended changes including reductions of $4,000 in line item 5104, moving $2,500 from line item 5345 to the IT budget, reducing line item 5282 Small tools and supplies by $4,500, increasing line item 5223 to send the Fleet Manager and his staff to hybrid vehicles classes, and a new line item 5360 for the cost saving measure of a tire balancer. Comptroller Proulx said this is a 5.22 % increase over last year's operating budget. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Equipment Maintenance budget.
STREET & STREET CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT #200 Mayor Bingham said the sidewalks line item has been removed, as it is a Small Cities project. Everything other than contractual increases was zeroed out with two million in road projects from the general fund, out of which 1.2 million will go to unforeseen repair to roads that suffered frost heaves and plow damage. Mayor Bingham added that road repairs are the most visible and important expense. On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle,
seconded by Councilor Samele, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Street Department and Street Capital Improvement budgets.
PARKS & PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT #323 Mayor Bingham pointed out the $6,000 reduction in overtime due to the cancelation of fireworks, the $459 change to FICA and the increase of $10,000 for an additional part-time summer employee to complete painting projects, remove graffiti and pick up trash. He said the Parks Department requested two additional $200,000 line items for capital reserve and parks improvement major. Mayor Bingham said he cut these funds to $50,000 each as a starting point. Councilor Jerram asked about lighting Toro field for the football teams and Mayor Bingham said at this point it is not in the budget. On a motion by Councilor Waldron, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Parks and Parks Capital Improvement budgets.
CITY REAL ESTATE #722 Mayor Bingham said there are no recommended changes but there is a new line item for property tax to pay Harwinton for land Torrington owns there. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Soliani, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the City Real Estate budget.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR #822 Mayor Bingham said there are no increases in this budget other than salaries and association fees. On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Public Works Director's budget.
CITY HALL #837 Mayor Bingham said since the building is newly renovated, this budget figure is an estimate. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Jerram, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the City Hall budget.
LANDFILL #924 Mayor Bingham said this budget represents $69 per ton for disposal, and changes to accommodate DEP regulations requiring deep well drilling at the old dump. On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Landfill budget. SANITARY SEWER/STREETLIGHTS #994 On a motion by Councilor Dalla Valle, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Sanitary Sewer/Streetlights budget. Mayor Bingham said we will go out to bid soon for line item #5225.0003. He added the LED street light conversions are funded from State LOCIP funds and grant monies totaling around $400,000. Mayor Bingham said in time maintenance costs will decrease due to the LEDs requiring fewer replacements and less maintenance. He said the Street Light committee will need to start planning where streetlights will be converted to LEDs. Councilor Dalla Valle said the future lower maintenance costs should be considered when going out to bid for an electrical maintenance
contractor. Mayor Bingham said his recommendation for next year will be to take half the monies saved and reduce the budget, while investing the other half in more LED fixtures. HEALTH #1193 Mayor Bingham said there are contractual increases, but the increase is less -- due to reduced tonnages. Deputy Chief Brunoli explained the Campion Ambulance
dispatch charges of $14,382. He said since Campion is a private contractor, calls that go through Litchfield County Dispatch and not through our Police Department are paid for by the State, but we pay a portion. On a motion by Councilor Carbone, seconded by Councilor Dalla Valle, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Health budget.
TREASURER #1337 City Treasurer Mattiello said he tried to conform to a zero percent increase. Councilor Soliani said Mr. Mattiello would be a very good role model for the rest of the city employees. On a motion by Councilor Jerram, seconded by Councilor Carbone, the Council voted unanimously to tentatively approve the Treasurer's budget. Mayor Bingham said the City Treasurer is hard at work having gone out to bid for new bond counsel and an investment advisor, and is working on
custodial banking service. ADJOURNMENT #1520 Councilor Jerram made a motion to adjourn at 6:45 p.m., seconded by Councilor Carbone and unanimously approved.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted, Carol L. Anderson, CCTC Asst. City Clerk |
